Classic Empire had been the early-line favorite, but the colt was pulled from the race by his owners shortly before the post-position draw Wednesday because of a hoof abscess. Irish War Cry became the morning-line favorite (7-2) for the 149th running of the race.

Pre-race nuggets:

Odds as of 5:05 p.m.:

Post No. 7 Irish War Cry 7/2

No. 6 Lookin At Lee 5-1

No. 2 Tapwrit 5-1

No. 1 Twisted Tom 7-1

No. 8 Senior Investment 7-1

No. 3 Gormley 8-1

No. 4 J Boys Echo 10-1

No. 12 Patch 11-1

No. 9 Meantime 14-1

No. 10 Multiplier 15-1

No. 5 Hollywood Handsome 18-1

No. 11 Epicharis SCRATCH

Epicharis, from Japan, came to Belmont with plenty of hype. He was scratched because of inflammation in the right front hoof.

Tapwrit and Patch are trained by Todd Pletcher, who sought his third career Belmont.

Only one favorite has won the Belmont in the past 10 years (American Pharoah, 2015). Longshots have thrived in that span.

Always Dreaming sought to become the 36th horse to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The most recent to do so was American Pharoah in 2015. American Pharoah won the Belmont to complete the Triple Crown.